ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Finance Commission
The Fifteenth Finance Commission holds meeting with Urban Local Bodies  of Meghalaya
The 15th Finance Commission headed by its Chairman, Shri N.K. Singh as part of its visit to the State of Meghalaya today held a meeting with the representatives of the Urban Local Bodies of Meghalaya.
The Commission was informed that:
- The State has constituted its ULBs under the Meghalaya Municipal Act and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
- As ULBs are not constituted under 74th constitutional amendment, the State is not bound to follow certain provisions of the Amendment, for example,  hold direct municipal elections  constitute ward committees,  reserve seats for schedule castes, schedule tribes and women,  continue municipalities for a period of five years, and  constitute state finance commission, state election commission and district planning committees.
- There are six Municipal Boards in Meghalaya but the elections are not being held regularly in Municipal Boards.
Regarding the Revenue Sources of ULBs, the Commission noted that:
- The Meghalaya Municipal Act 1973 empowers the Municipal Boards to mobilise resources through the levy of taxes as well as non-tax sources.
- The tax sources include levy of tax on holdings situated within the municipality; water tax; light tax; latrine tax; drainage tax; tax on private markets and tolls on bridges.
- The non-tax sources include license fees on carts, carriages and animals used for riding, or burden; fee on the registration of dogs and cattle; license fee on boats; betterment fee; fees for setting up and maintenance of fire brigade; fees for conducting at the cost of Board, any scheme of social service for the improvement of public health; fee on boats mooring within the municipality; and penalties for various offences.
- Their own resources are reported to be insufficient to carry any development work.
The Commission had detailed discussion with the representatives and assured to look into the issues raised by them while making their recommendations on Meghalaya.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Facilities for Women in Court Complexes
No such data published by the National Institute of Ranking Framework has been made available to the Department of Justice. However, the Registry of the Supreme Court of India has compiled data on the status of judicial infrastructure and court amenities according to which 74% of court complexes have separate ladies’ toilets while 26% of court complexes do not have separate ladies’ toilet. The primary responsibility of the development of infrastructure facilities for the judiciary rests with the state governments. To augment the resources of the state governments, the Union Government has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary by providing financial assistance to state governments / UTs in the prescribed fund-sharing pattern between the Centre and states. The scheme is being implemented since 1993-94, and it has been extended from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 9000 crores including the central share of Rs. 5307.00 crores. Besides the construction of court halls and residential quarters, the scheme now also covers the construction of lawyers’ halls, digital computer rooms and toilet complexes in the district and subordinate courts.
This information was given by the Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM inaugurates the Ahmedabad Shopping Festival-2019.
PM says, the Government is constantly working to create a conducive environment for business in the country.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ahmedabad Shopping Festival-2019 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. From the street vendors to shopping malls and from Craftsmen to hotels-restaurant-linked businesses, across the Gujarat, have come here to showcase and promote their products. The festival is unique since it is being organized simultaneously with the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.
The Prime Minister addressed a public gathering on the occasion. He praised the event saying “Usually, we get to see such big business Summit only abroad. Now vibrant Gujarat as well as the start of Ahmedabad shopping Festival, is a commendable initiative”.
The PM added, “The Government is constantly working to create a conducive environment for business in the country. In the past 4 years, old laws have been abolished and hundreds of rules are made easier. It is because of such efforts that we have improved significantly on the Ease of Doing Business rankings from 142 to 77”. The PM added,“It is our constant endeavour to simplify procedures for small entrepreneurs. We are moving towards the system when the banks can give credit to small entrepreneurs on the basis of GST and other returns. We are clearing loans up to Rs one crore in 59 minutes”.
Earlier today, the PM inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show at the Mahatma Mandir Exhibition cum Convention Center in Gandhi nagar. With this, the stage is set for 9th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Summit, scheduled to be held during January 18-20in Gandhi nagar. The Summit will witness the participation of Heads of States, Captains of global industry and Thought Leaders. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will address the inaugural session of the summit tomorrow.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
IREDA launches 'Whistle Blower' portal
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. , a PSU under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy  today launched a ‘Whistle-blower Portal’, as a part of ‘Vigilance Awareness Week 2021’. The portal was launched by Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director , IREDA and Dr. Praveen Kumari Singh, Additional Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission  in presence of Shri Chintan Shah, Director , Ms. Manisha Saxena, CVO, IREDA and other senior officials.
Through this portal, IREDA employees can raise concerns related to fraud, corruption, abuse of power etc.The portal has been developed by IT Team of the company. Launching the portal, Shri Pradip Kumar Das, CMD, IREDA highlighted that Whistle-blower portal is a part of a IREDA’s “zero tolerance” of corruption. Reiterating the Good and Clean Governance policy of the company, Shri Das stressed the importance of transparency and procedural fairness.
Dr. Praveen Kumari Singh, Additional Secretary, CVC extended her compliments for launching of Whistle-blower portal by IREDA. Further, she also conducted an interactive session on Whistle-blower Policy. During the session, she addressed all the queries raised by the participants and encouraged IREDA employees to work as ambassador of CVC to fight against corruption.
On this occasion, latest issue of Vigilance journal ‘Pahal’ was also released by IREDA. During the week-long Vigilance Awareness campaign , various activities like interaction with customers & vendors for redressal of their grievances, seminars, workshops, speech competition, quiz among employees, drawing competitions, dance competitions for students, Nukkad-Natakand other vigilance related awareness activities were carried out in line with the ‘Vigilance Awareness Week 2021’ theme- ‘Independent India @75: Self Reliance with Integrity’.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
871 scheduled formulations of Essential medicines are covered under price control mechanism
Government has said that The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority  has fixed the ceiling prices of 871 scheduled formulations of medicines under National List of Essential Medicines , 2015.
The fixation of Ceiling price includes ceiling price of Cardiac Stents under Para 19 of the Drug Price Control Orders , 2013 resulting in price reduction for Coronary Stents worked out up to 85% for Bare Metal Stents and 74% for Drug Eluting Stents.
This information was given by Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri D. V. Sadananda Gowda in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today. Shri Gowda informed that besides Cardiac Stents, Knee Implants, 106 anti-diabetic and cardiovascular medicines and 42 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines have also been brought under price rationalisation in public interest by exercising extra-ordinary powers under the DPCO, 2013.
He said, the fixation of the ceiling prices by the NPPA is an on-going process. As and when the formulations are included in the National List of Essential Medicines their prices are fixed by the NPPA.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Selection of candidates for 2019-20 under the MANF Scheme has been made through JRF-NET examination conducted by National Testing Agency: Sh Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
The Ministry of Minority Affairs implements Maulana Azad National Fellowship  Scheme for educational empowerment of students belonging to six notified minority communities i.e. Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, Zoroastrian . Selections under the MANF Scheme are done as per the approved guidelines.
The MANF Scheme is implemented through the University Grants Commission  and no waiting list is prepared under the Scheme by UGC.
Candidates belonging to the Six centrally notified minority communities’ viz., Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, Zoroastrian  are considered for award of fellowship under the MANF Scheme.
The selection of candidates for 2019-20 under the MANF Scheme has been made through JRF-NET  examination conducted by National Testing Agency and the merit list has been prepared by UGC on the basis of all India ranking of candidates. Prior to 2019-20, the merit list was prepared on the basis of marks obtained by the candidates in their Post Graduate examination. However in 2018-19 only the candidates who had qualified CBSE-UGC-NET/JRF or CSIR-NET/JRF were eligible to apply.
This information was given by Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of Minority Affairs, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Power
NTPC wins prestigious CII-ITC Sustainability Awards 2020
Country’s largest power producer, NTPC ltd has been conferred “Excellence” in the prestigious CII-ITC Sustainability Awards 2020 in Corporate Social Responsibility  Domain. NTPC has been honoured in the Corporate Excellence Category, Commendation for Significant Achievement.
The recognition was received by Shri D. K. Patel, Director  in the august presence of Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs at the 15th CII-ITC Sustainability Awards 2020 held through the virtual platform.
This is the highest award conferred by CII-ITC in CSR domain. NTPC is the only PSU to receive the award in the Corporate Excellence category.
NTPC wins the prestigious CII-ITC Sustainability Awards in Corporate Excellence category second time in a row i.e. in the year 2019 and 2020.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President calls for credibility in media organisations, suggests media ‘should not mix news with views’
‘Journalists should weigh the impact of their work on society’
VP says media can criticise the government, but should not spread panic among people
VP lauds journalists for their grit during the pandemic
Releases book ‘Mutnuri Krishna Rao Sampadakeeyalu’ – a collection of editorials of pioneering Telugu journalist
The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today said that media ‘should not mix news with views’ and maintain objectivity in bringing facts to the people. He observed that people take the content of the news and broadcast media to be credible and media organisations should live up to their expectations. ‘Journalism should be treated as a mission’, he said.
Releasing a collection of editorials titled ‘Mutnuri Krishna Rao Sampadakeeyalu’ in Hyderabad today, Shri Naidu highlighted the critical role of media as the ‘fourth pillar of democracy’ in protecting and preserving democracy. He said the media is the vital channel of communication that can take the issues of the people to the government and the schemes and policies of the government to the people.
Shri Naidu stressed that the media has the right and responsibility to question and criticise the government and suggest alternative solutions. At the same time, he observed, media organisations should not rake up trivial issues and spread panic among the people.
Observing the tremendous impact the media has on people, the Vice President said journalists should weigh the consequences of each word they print and broadcast on society. ‘They must remember that they are a part of society too’, he added.
Shri Naidu lauded journalists for their resilience and courage during the pandemic and said they have shown great grit and resolve in bringing out reports from the ground.
On this occasion, Shri Naidu paid rich tributes to Shri Mutnuri Krishna Rao, the pioneering Telugu journalist and editor of the nationalist newspaper ‘Krishna Patrika’ from 1907 to 1945. He noted the lasting impact of both Shri Krishna Rao’s work and Krishna Patrika in inculcating patriotism in the Telugu youth and in setting high standards in journalism during that time.
Referring to the role of newspapers in the freedom movement, Shri Naidu said they played a vital role in taking the spirit of the freedom struggle to the grassroots and keeping people abreast of the changes happening around the country.
The Vice President appreciated Sri Marumamula Dattatreya Sharma for bringing out the book and hoped that it would make the present generation aware of the high standards of journalistic values set by Shri Krishna Rao.
Dr KV Ramanachary, Advisor to the Govt. of Telangana, Dr Varaprasad Reddy, Chairman, Shantha Biotech, Shri Tummala Narendra Chowdary, Founder Chairman, Rachana Television Pvt Limited, Shri K Ramachandra Murthy, senior journalist, Shri Valleswar, senior journalist, Shri Dattatreya Sharma, author, Shri MVR Sarma, Editor, Darsanam and others participated in the event.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 556
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 202.46 Crore
More than 27 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 202.46 Crore  today. More than 27 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10411204
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10086821
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6197011
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18429545
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17665199
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
11904137
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
38586635
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
27193789
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
61039005
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
50664894
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
559301772
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
507795315
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
15587902
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
203647887
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
195051708
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
11062993
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127415496
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
121886717
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
30770826
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
1018831544
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
930344443
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
75522869
|
|
Total
|
|
2024698856
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 23rd July, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
63
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
474
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
17587
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
125
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
916
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
47297
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
56540
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
91411
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18936
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
44062
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
32018
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
144421
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
1164213
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
4867
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
32617
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
800510
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3117
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
21212
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
293959
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
115666
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
335113
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2323566
|
|
Total
|
|
2774345
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
2105 beds provided in Central Govt. Hospitals for COVID patients in Delhi
4 times increase in beds for Delhi COVID patients since 1st March
2105 beds  in Central Govt. Hospitals including Safdarjung, RML, LHMC, AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Jhajjhar, ESIC Okhla and Jhilmil, and All India institute of Ayurveda, Sarita Vihar are available now for care of COVID patients of Delhi. With this, the number of beds for COVID patients in Delhi has increased by more than 4 times, from the 510 beds available on 1st March, 2021.
The Union Health Ministry is in the process of continuously increasing COVID beds in Central Govt. hospitals further. Field Hospitals/makeshift facilities are being set up with the help of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research , whereby 46 additional beds at Safdarjung Hospital and 240 beds at Lady Hardinge Medical College are expected to come up over the next two weeks.
In addition, in the DRDO facility in Dhaula Kuan, 250 ICU beds were made operational on 19th April 2021, and another 250 ICU beds arebeing made operational on 21st April 2021. Indian Railways has also committed to providing 50 coaches with 16 beds each at the Shakur Basti station, amounting to 800 beds, which can be used as isolation beds by Delhi Govt. Further, Railways will also provide 25 Coaches with 16 beds each amounting to 400 beds in its Anand Vihar facility by21st April 2021.
To ensure safe and efficient management of COVID cases in these railway coaches, the Delhi Government has been requested to refer to the relevant portions of the ‘Guidance Document on appropriate management of suspect/confirmed COVID19 cases in Railway Coaches’ circulated in May 2020.
The Union Government is fully committed to tackling the COVID pandemic with all resources at its disposal. Additional resources are also being marshalled and a ‘Whole of Government’ approach is being implemented to strengthen the hospital infrastructure across various states for prompt and effective treatment of COVID19 patients.
Ministry of Mines
Mineral Production during March 2020 
The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of March, 2020  at 132.7, was exactly the same as compared to the level in the month of March, 2019. The cumulative growth for the period April- March, 2019-20 over the corresponding period of previous year has been  1.7 percent. It is released by Mining & Mineral Statistics Division of Indian Bureau of Mines.
Production level of important minerals in March, 2020 were: Coal 958 lakh tonnes, Lignite 42 lakh tonnes, Natural gas  2323 million cu. m., Petroleum  27 lakh tonnes, Bauxite 1634 thousand tonnes, Chromite 582 thousand tonnes, Copper conc. 11 thousand tonnes, Gold 153 kg, Iron ore 204 lakh tonnes, Lead conc. 26 thousand tonnes, Manganese ore 181 thousand tonnes, Zinc conc. 117 thousand tonnes, Apatite & Phosphorite 133 thousand tonnes, Limestone 272 lakh tonnes, Magnesite 8 thousand tonnes and Diamond 3213 carat.
The production of important minerals showing positive growth during March, 2020 over March, 2019 include: ‘Chromite’ , ‘Iron ore’  and ‘Coal’  . The production of other important minerals showing negative growth is: ‘Gold’ [ 42.5%], ‘Manganese ore’ [ 38.0%], ‘Lead conc.’ [ 26.3%], ‘Zinc conc.’ [ 24.9%], ‘Limestone’ [ 23.0%], ‘Lignite’ [ 16.9%], ‘Copper conc.’ [ 16.2%], ‘Natural gas ’ [ 15.2%], ‘Bauxite’ [ 9.4%], ‘Phosphorite’ [ 6.8%] and ‘Petroleum ’ [ 5.5%].
Ministry of Defence
Chief of Army Staff Proceeds on a visit to France
General Manoj Pande, the Chief of the Army Staff has proceeded on a visit to France from 14 to 17 November 2022. During the four day visit, he will be meeting his counterparts and senior military leadership of France with an aim to enhance defence cooperation between both the nations.
During the visit, the Army Chief will be laying wreath at Neuve Chapelle Indian Memorial, which commemorates the sacrifices of 4,742 Indian soldiers during the First World War. He is scheduled to call on the Chief of the Defence Staff, Chief of the Army Staff, and Commander Commandement des Forces Terrestres  / Command of the Land Combat Forces, where he will discuss avenues for enhancing India-France defence relations.
The COAS will be visiting Ecole Militarie, comprising of various military training establishments in Paris and address Senior Staff Officers attending a course at Ecole de Guerra-T. He will also be visiting Military Schools at Draguignan, which are premier training establishments that train commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers.
The ever-expanding defence cooperation engagements which encompass a broad spectrum of activities have established a strong bonhomie across every level of the two Armies. The visit of the COAS to France will further strengthen the bonds of trust and understanding between the two armies.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurates first direct flight on Bhopal – Raipur route
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindiatoday flagged off the first direct flight of Indigo airlines on Bhopal  – Raipur  route. Sh. Shivraj Singh ChouhanChief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, Shri Bhupendra Singh, Minister of Home and Transport, Madhya Pradesh, Shri Vishwas Sarang, Minister of Medical Education, Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief & Rehabilitation, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Shri RamakantBhargavaSh. Sunil Kumar Soni, Members of Parliament also joined the event virtually.
On the flight launch, Shri Scindia said that “Yesterday, we celebrated the Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day, and today we are connecting capital of Madhya Pradesh with the capital of Chhattisgarh. Bhopal has always been known as the city of lakes and Raipur has its own natural beauty. It is only in the last 7 years that the development has attained movement in both the cities. Raipur airport holds the rank of 22nd busiest airport of the country and the dialogue for the expansion of Bhopal airport has also been initiated. It has been planned to develop a Cargo Terminal and set up MRO facilities at the Bhopal airport. The International airport license is also due for the airport. Earlier, Bhopal was only connected with 5 cities, now it’s connected with 9 cities of the country. Soon, we are also connecting Bhopal with Rewa to bolster aerial interconnectivity of the state. Till last 4 months, Madhya Pradesh was only connected with 27 cities, and now it’s connected with 50 cities. We have unlocked 50% achievement in terms of aerial connectivity for Madhya Pradesh.”
The minister further added, “Under the UDAN scheme we intend to make the fares accessible for the common man to promote air travel for the masses. Till 2025, we plan to operationalise more than 200 airports from current 136 airports.Earlier due to non-avaialibitlity of the direct flights, people had to travel for more than 12 hours to travel between the two cities. This new route will not only enhance regional connectivity but will also promote trade, commerce and tourism between these cities.”
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